What Nail Products Do You Use?

I have used nails from GPN (Guitarplayernails.com) since 2008. I have used a variety of nail types and glues, and used to get GPN glue, but regular Krazy glue is way cheaper and holds longer. It takes about 10 minutes to completely replace a nail, with a reasonable amount of shape and polish refinement after that during regular practice hours.

Before GPN I used a china silk paper with hardener which took forever to make a nail, and it was really hard to get a polished tone with it.   I discovered GPN on the day of a concert in 2008, and wished I'd known about it before that.  never went back to china silk.  

I have not used my regular nails in more than 20 years.  

Debbie I watched Brandon Acker's no nails in 10 days video recently.  very interesting, and to be honest I'm a little envious. I would love to liberate my life from nail care and break paranoia.  

I left the business in 1980 and loved not worrying about nails. when I came back and started worrying about nails again, sheesh.  :-)

Dave McLellan liberated is a good way to put it, Dave. I gradually filed my nails off just a tiny bit one day at a time to allow myself to get used to it. At first I struggled to find a good tone but I sought out Virginia Luque for lessons and haven't look back. I much prefer the feel and tone now and it's so nice not to have to worry about nails breaking. I recommend giving it a try ;)

Dave McLellan am thinking about buying his course specifically for nail free tremolo but on the fence, I play with nails when they are intact and with no nails when they are not but I find tremolo a waste of time when my nails are too short.

Steve Garfinkle I hear you.   if you listen to Brandon's tremelo, it's pretty darn good for no nail sound.  my flaky real nails are why I've used fakes for 16 years now.  not going back to real nails, and I might consider expermenting with no nails some day.  Good luck!  

BTW: I do tremelo in reverse:  p-i-m-a, not p-a-m-i.  FWIW.   

Debbie I'd love to hear what you learned from Virginia Luque regarding playing without nails. Please share if you can.

Dean Hi Dean, I first contacted Virginia to see if I could get a few lessons on how to approach playing without nails. Ten months later I’m still taking lessons with her and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. She is a first class virtuoso, an extremely dynamic and powerful player, arranger, composer, conductor, the best sight reader I’ve ever seen, and interpreter of music. Honestly the list goes on and anything I try to say will not do her approach to playing justice. She’s more than just a no nails player. She formally studied Acoustics and to her, playing without nails is the best tone possible. So learning to play without nails, how to attack the string, at what angle, how to escape the string, hand position, etc..is not something I can easily explain in a few words. It is a journey. I hope Martin will get her on for a livestream but in the meantime, I suggest you contact her yourself. She loves to teach and would be happy to answer any and all questions you might have. Sorry if I’m not answering your question. It’s just that I don’t want to misrepresent her method of teaching. I would never presume. But I can recommend! 

Matt I have been dealing with nail issues for the last 8 - 10 years. I have tried a wide variety of hardeners / strengtheners and artificial nails. Nothing seemed to work for any length of time. I went nailless for a while but was not satisfied with the results (perhaps prematurely).

How long have you been using Tiptonic nails and are they easily removable? If so, can they be removed and applied just for practice and performance, rather leaving on constantly?

Jack Stewart Tiptonic is a fantastic product--far better than any other artificial nail I've used. But as I said, I've only used them for my "a" finger. Several things.to note.

1.  They come in many--and I mean many--shapes and widths.  There's a starter sample pack you can order that should get you close to what you want.

2. They can be semi-permanent--see the website--or temporary.  I only use temporary.  That means they attach with Glue Dots.   Get the "permanent projects" Craft Dots.  It's only a few dollars for several hundred on Amazon.  They'll hold for several hours of playing.  And they're easy to get off.

3. If you were playing a bunch of rasgaedo or other aggressive strumming, I bet they'd come off.  Also, maybe you couldn't play a super-fast arrepeggio piece.  Otherwise, they're a vast improvement over most natural nails.  They have a small gripping structure at the front, which makes them more secure.

4. I clean my nail and the artificial nail with rubbing alcohol before applying.   That seems to make them hold better.

Matt The videos I have watched on Tiptonic nails seem to show they have height at the cuticle side which looks like it might catch on a string if strumming. Do you have any issues with that?

Jack Stewart I only use them on my "a" finger as an ongoing matter, and avoid using that finger for strumming.  (I use them on other fingers only when I have a bad break.)  So it's hard to say.  My impression is that they'd come off after a bit with rasgaedo or other aggressive strumming.  Generally they stay on for a few hours.

Matt I use tiptonics as well, they are great for most pieces but very clicky when trying tremelo

Matt Thanks for the information Matt. I just discovered yesterday my nails were just long enough to use if I am very accurate ('m' and 'a' nails don't extend beyond my fingertips but if I am very precise I can still use them). However, this morning I chipped off some of my 'a' nail. There might still be enough to use but I guess I'm still not 'out of the woods".

Jan Bardine I second the Nailtiques Formula 2. I've been using it for a couple of years. I keep a few coats on and replace them every couple of weeks. I can tell a difference in my sound since it's a little thin without it on. Plus, I haven't had a split or broken nail in years. 

Steve Price I'm glad to hear that you discovered Nailtiques. I can't remember how I discovered their products but the strengthening & protective properties of the Formula 2 has helped me so much. The stuff really is incredible & I hope other people will try it & that it works equally well for them too!